weathercock
Rooftop wind pointer
A weathercock is a weather vane in the shape of a rooster, mounted on a rooftop to show wind direction.
The cock swivels freely, always pointing into the wind.
Figuratively, a weathercock is someone who shifts opinions or loyalties readily: He's a political weathercock, changing positions with every poll.
Device showing wind direction
- spireTapering architectural peak
- steeplePointed church tower
- cupolaSmall rooftop dome
- finialDecorative top element
ornament · pinnacle · gable · rooftop · turret · arrow · pivot · swivel
Light, gentle air movement
- gustBrief wind surge
- zephyrMild, gentle breeze
- galeSevere sustained wind
- squallBrief, violent windstorm
tempest · draft · airflow · direction · north · south · east · west
Subject to sudden changes
- mercurialProne to sudden change
- volatileLiable to sudden change
- inconstantProne to fluctuation
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
temperamental · erratic · whimsical · changeable · vacillating · wavering · unreliable · shifting
Male chicken, not mature
- fowlBirds for the table
- poultryBirds raised for food
- combToothed grooming implement
- wattleHanging throat skin
feathers · silhouette · barnyard · farmyard · crowing · perched · metal · ornamental
Instrument gauging atmospheric pressure
- anemometerInstrument measuring air velocity
- windsockConical air-direction indicator
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
meteorological · gauge · reading · measurement · telltale · prognostic · warning · portent
weathervane
Device showing wind direction
finial · ornament · pinnacle · gable · rooftop · turret · arrow · pivot · swivel · whirligig
breeze
Light, gentle air movement
squall · tempest · draft · airflow · direction · north · south · east · west · bearing
capricious
Subject to sudden changes
- mercurialProne to sudden change
- volatileLiable to sudden change
- inconstantProne to fluctuation
unpredictable · temperamental · erratic · whimsical · changeable · vacillating · wavering · unreliable · shifting · turncoat
cockerel
Male chicken, not mature
wattle · feathers · silhouette · barnyard · farmyard · crowing · perched · metal · ornamental · traditional
barometer
Instrument gauging atmospheric pressure
- anemometerInstrument measuring air velocity
- windsockConical air-direction indicator
- signalMessage-conveying cue
forecast · meteorological · gauge · reading · measurement · telltale · prognostic · warning · portent · sign
- weathervanes
- rooftopsgable, eaves, ridge, dormer, chimney
- vanes and bladeswind vane, turbine blade, fan blade, rotor blade, propeller blade
- weather instrumentsanemometer, barometer, hygrometer, rain gauge, thermograph
- roosterscockerel, chanticleer, gamecock, bantam, fighting cock
weathercockcompass
Device showing cardinal directions
lodestar · North Star · Polaris · magnetic compass · true north